Anyone know when it’s safe to book trains ? (So not moved for sky)

Wonder if Forino wasn't fully fit or summet?

It really should've been 3 at the back with Conway and Tutu Wbs yesterday 😒 

Especially with Kenny missing and ACD not ready for 90.

Conway great when he's charging foward. Defensively one of the worst I've seen for us.

1 minute ago, deeane Koontz said:

Conway great when he's charging foward. Defensively one of the worst I've seen for us.

He has been very poor recently - got to blame recruitment again for not identifying decent full backs; that Taylor is awful and we also don’t have a right back

17 hours ago, barrycowdrill said:

There’s been some decent recruitment decisions over the past 12 months or so. There’s also been some questionable ones. 
 

however the collective decisions that have been made around the back line time after time have been absolutely abysmal.
 

said it before but mistaking numbers for quality was the first one. Then 

2. Making Toal ©️ guaranteed he started every week 

3. signing a CB with the sole intention for him to play LB and the other option being an academy lad whose worst asset is defending 

4. at the time the signing of Christie looked a shrewd move. Brought in experience and cover. However then getting rid of your starting RB exposing him to more game time than he can probably do and moving a winger who sulks when he has to defend in there is ludicrous 

5. letting a defensively sound player leave as he wasn’t getting game time and replacing him with a prospect who hasn’t had a sniff 

6. only playing your most dominant CB when you play 3 at the back 

our problems are bigger and wider than just defensively of course. But when the inevitable failure in the play offs occur, the biggest factor for me will be the defensive issues that have plagued our season and the decisions which have led to them 

 

7. Seeing a player in George Johnston who, if fit, always plays

Some interesting comments,some i agree with others way over the top. I looked at the team yesterday morning and knew we would be in for a hard day. Though i also thought that when i looked at the team v Plymouth. What is certain SS does not help himself with the continuous use of wingers over midfielders away.

Our defence is not good enough to gain promotion and that is down to SS. I never rated Cogley and Christie was only ever going to be a bit part player this season, but this should have been Addressed the min Cogley was sent to Stockport.

On the other side Conway plays well as a wing/back but is no left back. I hope Firino was carrying a knock or was one of those sick.

SS does not get a free hit for yesterday, but at times team selection tactics etc are very limited when injuries and sickness ruin your weeks work

On a side note Perry Ng is out of contract at Cardiff this summer he is exactly the player who would solve our right back problem

Absolutely fucking dreading the play-offs. Probably be a solo trip to Wembley for me if we get there, because my lad has absolutely no appetite for it at the moment, and I can't really blame him. At least I'll be able to get pissed to numb the pain.

19 hours ago, Krimzon said:

Lincoln have been the anomaly . Without that we would have been top two . 

dunno about that, stockport win games in hand, we're 5th

Stevenage 3 behind with a game in hand too, and I don't see an easy game on Tuesday

32 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Absolutely fucking dreading the play-offs. Probably be a solo trip to Wembley for me if we get there, because my lad has absolutely no appetite for it at the moment, and I can't really blame him. At least I'll be able to get pissed to numb the pain.

I just want it all over and done with so I can get on with the summer and start again next season whatever league we are playing in

Can’t understand this feeling of dread for the play offs.

If we lose in them then it’s shit, of course it is, but it’s 2-3 games where football means the most, with the chance of pure ecstasy at the end of it on 24th May. We’ll likely have a few moments where we’re all close to having a heart attack, but it’s what it’s all about.

Bradford will be feeling no more confident than we are. Stockport are hardly flying (and will already have been to Wembley once so will lose some of their day trippers) and Stevenage (if it is them) will be the big underdogs and outnumbered wherever they go.

We’ll have key players back fit and nobody will fancy getting us. If anything it’s the next 4 games that can do one (other than Bradford which will be a top day out). Bring on the play offs!

28 minutes ago, Eddie said:

Can’t understand this feeling of dread for the play offs.

If we lose in them then it’s shit, of course it is, but it’s 2-3 games where football means the most, with the chance of pure ecstasy at the end of it on 24th May. We’ll likely have a few moments where we’re all close to having a heart attack, but it’s what it’s all about.

Bradford will be feeling no more confident than we are. Stockport are hardly flying (and will already have been to Wembley once so will lose some of their day trippers) and Stevenage (if it is them) will be the big underdogs and outnumbered wherever they go.

We’ll have key players back fit and nobody will fancy getting us. If anything it’s the next 4 games that can do one (other than Bradford which will be a top day out). Bring on the play offs!

It's probably just mental fatigue from knowing we're too big for League One, and coming so close to escaping over the last few years. There are also obvious impending financial issues if we don't go up soon, which is amplified by what we went through before Football Ventures took over. It just feels like we're stuck in a trap, and every season we don't get promoted, the trap tightens. All just feelings really though - I've no idea how long the owners and investors are willing to put up with it.

The main thing is probably the memory of the Oxford Wembley performance. It was so incredibly fucking shite - especially after the drama of the Barnsley home tie - and the hangover has been exhausting.

Edited April 12Apr 12 by Cheese

That Kellyman who scored yesterday cost £19m the other season.

1 hour ago, Kane57 said:

7. Seeing a player in George Johnston who, if fit, always plays

He'd not get a game if he wasn't left-footed.

20 minutes ago, gonzo said:

That Kellyman who scored yesterday cost £19m the other season.

Yeah, he's only 20 and whilst it could be suggested that Chelsea overpaid for him, he did change hands for £600,000 as a 16 yr old when Villa bought him from Derby.

37 minutes ago, Cheese said:

It's probably just mental fatigue from knowing we're too big for League One, and coming so close to escaping over the last few years. There are also obvious impending financial issues if we don't go up soon, which is amplified by what we went through before Football Ventures took over. It just feels like we're stuck in a trap, and every season we don't get promoted, the trap tightens. All just feelings really though - I've no idea how long the owners and investors are willing to put up with it.

The main thing is probably the memory of the Oxford Wembley performance. It was so incredibly fucking shite - especially after the drama of the Barnsley home tie - and the hangover has been exhausting.

Fair points. I’ve said it a few times but the expectation gap is widening massively now - fans won’t accept Bolton Wanderers outside of the 2nd tier for much longer and so that feeling of necessity to get promoted (especially knowing the financial implications) means that it’s almost relief rather than enjoyment.

However, we as fans can’t control any of it. Finances, team selection, injuries, opposition. What’s gone (Oxford) has gone and we’re still here bouncing around when we win at Plymouth. If we don’t go up then who knows, we might have the season of our lives as we do a Lincoln and romp the league next year? But until then, I don’t see the point in worrying about any of it, just enjoy the ride and the fact that when 90% of football fans are wondering what to do with their Saturday, we’ve got the biggest game of our season to get excited for.

28 minutes ago, Eddie said:

Fair points. I’ve said it a few times but the expectation gap is widening massively now - fans won’t accept Bolton Wanderers outside of the 2nd tier for much longer and so that feeling of necessity to get promoted (especially knowing the financial implications) means that it’s almost relief rather than enjoyment.

However, we as fans can’t control any of it. Finances, team selection, injuries, opposition. What’s gone (Oxford) has gone and we’re still here bouncing around when we win at Plymouth. If we don’t go up then who knows, we might have the season of our lives as we do a Lincoln and romp the league next year? But until then, I don’t see the point in worrying about any of it, just enjoy the ride and the fact that when 90% of football fans are wondering what to do with their Saturday, we’ve got the biggest game of our season to get excited for.

Que sera, sera...

14 hours ago, Stig said:

Can't disagree with that. The whole style of play is so negative. Throwing backwards and not crossing in, instead passing back to the goalie to hoof it, is a plague on football in general and we are stuck doing it.

The only thing I would just challenge is Dalby MOTM. Yes he puts himself about and I'm pleased with his physical presence but can he actually kick a ball? He's getting no service but he can't make anything for himself either. He seems to need specific service of balls in the box or rebounds to tap in to score. I struggle with him being MOTM just for tussling for the ball

Agreed on Dalby.  Without him god knows where we'd be, but our attacks are so limited if we have no pace (Dalby and Burstow).  Yes Kenny has improved that undoubtedly but its a real problem when he isn't, and its not as if Kenny is a guarantee of shots on target, his excellent goal v Stockport wasn't part of a trend of chances and efforts on goal.  We keep hearing we have a great squad and to an extent that's true, but its so rare for us to look potent up front with a good combination of strength, pace and shooting ability.

1 hour ago, Eddie said:

Fair points. I’ve said it a few times but the expectation gap is widening massively now - fans won’t accept Bolton Wanderers outside of the 2nd tier for much longer and so that feeling of necessity to get promoted (especially knowing the financial implications) means that it’s almost relief rather than enjoyment.

However, we as fans can’t control any of it. Finances, team selection, injuries, opposition. What’s gone (Oxford) has gone and we’re still here bouncing around when we win at Plymouth. If we don’t go up then who knows, we might have the season of our lives as we do a Lincoln and romp the league next year? But until then, I don’t see the point in worrying about any of it, just enjoy the ride and the fact that when 90% of football fans are wondering what to do with their Saturday, we’ve got the biggest game of our season to get excited for.

Agree entirely. Just don't think there's enough of us "happy clappers" to drown out the doom merchants. I'm probably dreading the reaction rather than the result.

Edited April 12Apr 12 by Cheese

4 hours ago, Eddie said:

Can’t understand this feeling of dread for the play offs.

If we lose in them then it’s shit, of course it is, but it’s 2-3 games where football means the most, with the chance of pure ecstasy at the end of it on 24th May. We’ll likely have a few moments where we’re all close to having a heart attack, but it’s what it’s all about.

Bradford will be feeling no more confident than we are. Stockport are hardly flying (and will already have been to Wembley once so will lose some of their day trippers) and Stevenage (if it is them) will be the big underdogs and outnumbered wherever they go.

We’ll have key players back fit and nobody will fancy getting us. If anything it’s the next 4 games that can do one (other than Bradford which will be a top day out). Bring on the play offs!

Its probably due to the fact that we are woeful when in the play-offs . 

Knocked out by 

Aldershot, Notts County , Tranmere , Ipswich , Watford , Barnsley , Oxford . 

13 hours ago, Zico said:

I think the point there always was we went from a team that was challenging for a play off spot to one that was challenging for the top two

Anyway

I've not doubt we'll finish top six but right now could really finish 3rd or 6th, neither would surprise me

I'd be amazed if we finish 3rd or 4th now, I think holding onto 5th would be an achievement.

But we could still finish 7th if either Plymouth or Luton put some wins together.  Hard to see where Luton will drop points before they come to us, I don't fancy them being within 3 points at that stage.  A couple of wins would secure it for us and at least 1 of them has to be this week.

6 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I'd be amazed if we finish 3rd or 4th now, I think holding onto 5th would be an achievement.

But we could still finish 7th if either Plymouth or Luton put some wins together.  Hard to see where Luton will drop points before they come to us, I don't fancy them being within 3 points at that stage.  A couple of wins would secure it for us and at least 1 of them has to be this week.

We have 3 home games.

25 minutes ago, Krimzon said:

Its probably due to the fact that we are woeful when in the play-offs . 

Knocked out by 

Aldershot, Notts County , Tranmere , Ipswich , Watford , Barnsley , Oxford . 

In which case, you’re all too old and need to let go of things that happened when half our fanbase weren’t even born 😂.

25 year anniversary of the Preston win this year - sounds like a good time to win one again.

5 hours ago, Eddie said:

Can’t understand this feeling of dread for the play offs.

If we lose in them then it’s shit, of course it is, but it’s 2-3 games where football means the most, with the chance of pure ecstasy at the end of it on 24th May. We’ll likely have a few moments where we’re all close to having a heart attack, but it’s what it’s all about.

Bradford will be feeling no more confident than we are. Stockport are hardly flying (and will already have been to Wembley once so will lose some of their day trippers) and Stevenage (if it is them) will be the big underdogs and outnumbered wherever they go.

We’ll have key players back fit and nobody will fancy getting us. If anything it’s the next 4 games that can do one (other than Bradford which will be a top day out). Bring on the play offs!

I'm not dreading the play offs, the only thing I'll dread is that feeling in the 2nd half at Wembley if you're losing and you're facing the desolation of the sombre journey home.  But losing in the semis is only slightly worse than cocking up the league season, its just another failure that we've become accustomed to.  I'd be home in half an hour and in the Algarve within 24 hours!  (with a slight relief that it would be the last time I'd have to watch some of these players).

But just questioning your "nobody will fancy getting us".  If I was any of the other challengers, we're exactly the team I'd want to be playing.  We're out of form.  And as for getting players back, fair enough we might, but I think we've got enough experience of the last few years to know its a temporary thing.  Players come back, then they get injured or suspended or dropped, its normal and it happens all the time.  It feels like we're in a permanent state of "jam tomorrow" without ever really owning the team we put out every week, like there's always a fantastic team just around the corner if we're patient.  There's an element of avoiding the real truth, that whichever 11 start, we're just a bit short of what's required and that our final league position will be a true reflection.

Edited April 12Apr 12 by Johnnyrotten

12 minutes ago, jmjhb said:

We have 3 home games.

We've averaged 1.5 points from the last 4 homes which isn't terrible, but isn't much different to our away form.

And we don't have a habit of beating top 10 teams, not saying we won't win these 3, but they are tough games.

Last 12 home games going back to Bradford, we've either drawn 0-0, lost 0-1 or scored in the last 10 minutes to get a draw or win.  Barnsley the only game we've been winning before 80 minutes and held on.  

1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I'm not dreading the play offs, the only thing I'll dread is that feeling in the 2nd half at Wembley if you're losing and you're facing the desolation of the sombre journey home.  But losing in the semis is only slightly worse than cocking up the league season, its just another failure that we've become accustomed to.  I'd be home in half an hour and in the Algarve within 24 hours!  (with a slight relief that it would be the last time I'd have to watch some of these players).

But just questioning your "nobody will fancy getting us".  If I was any of the other challengers, we're exactly the team I'd want to be playing.  We're out of form.  And as for getting players back, fair enough we might, but I think we've got enough experience of the last few years to know its a temporary thing.  Players come back, then they get injured or suspended or dropped, its normal and it happens all the time.  It feels like we're in a permanent state of "jam tomorrow" without ever really owning the team we put out every week, like there's always a fantastic team just around the corner if we're patient.  There's an element of avoiding the real truth, that whichever 11 start, we're just a bit short of what's required and that our final league position will be a true reflection.

A lot of that is our own perception of ourselves though - which is always overly critical and more negative. Bradford and Stockport will be saying exactly the same thing.

Outside in. Nobody wants to be coming to our place with a full house behind us and a fresh ACD running at them. Are we perfect, no, but whoever is in the play offs would rather play the other 2 than us.